Dr. D. Y. Patil Arts, Commerce & Science College
Question
Asked 2nd Sep, 2019
What is the difference between normal and biodegradable plastic?
Other than bonding and the organic matter is there any major difference in normal plastic and biodegradable plastic?
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Thank you all of you
Popular answers (1)
Aarhus University
Biodegradable Plastics (BPs) are made of organic (plant material) while SPs (normal plastics) are made with chemical filters. other major difference is: on decomposition SPs released GHG emissions, while BPs release relatively less or no emissions. BPs can reduce ~42% carbon footprints compared with SPs. However, there are still some concerns attached to the use of BPs. for instance small metals used in BPs can be harmful for soils and environment. but still no one reported this issue.
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All Answers (6)
Aarhus University
Biodegradable Plastics (BPs) are made of organic (plant material) while SPs (normal plastics) are made with chemical filters. other major difference is: on decomposition SPs released GHG emissions, while BPs release relatively less or no emissions. BPs can reduce ~42% carbon footprints compared with SPs. However, there are still some concerns attached to the use of BPs. for instance small metals used in BPs can be harmful for soils and environment. but still no one reported this issue.
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The Institution of Engineers (India)
Bioplastics are plastics made from organic materials such as corn starch, and often made up of polylactic acid (PLA) PLA has properties similar to polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PET) and looks just like ordinary plastic.On the other hand, refer to petroleum-based plastics that are combined with an additive that makes them break down quickly.
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University of Calabar
I do not understand what you mean by normal plastic. If the biodegradable plastic is not a normal plastic, then that alone differentiates between the two. Bioplastics are made from natural materials such as corn starch. Biodegradable plastics are made from traditional petrochemicals, which are engineered to break down more quickly. Eco/recycled plastics, which are simply plastics made from recycled plastic materials rather than raw petrochemicals. Traditional plastic is made from petroleum-based raw materials. Some say bioplastics which are made from 20% or more of renewable materials, could be the solution to plastic pollution. The often-cited advantages of bioplastic are reduced use of fossil fuel resources, a smaller carbon footprint, and faster environmental degradation by microorganisms hence they are more environment-friendly and come highly recommended.
Gujarat Arts and Science College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, INDIA. (Government College, Pincode - 380006.)
Dear Prof. Sd Tidke,
The difference between "normal plastic" and "biodegradable plastic".
1. Normal Plastic (Non-Biodegradable Plastic):
- Plastic which does not decompose naturally in the environment causes pollution and are also harmful to the living being are called the non-biodegradable plastic.
- After formation, regular plastics hold carbon. When they are disposed of and begin to decompose or when they are melted, that carbon is then released into the atmosphere.
- Methane and other forms of pollutants could also be released from traditional plastic when they are recycled and burned.
- These type of plastic do not degrade easily or by the action of natural agents.
- They are harmful to the environment.
2. Bio-degradable Plastic:
- Biodegradable plastic is plastic that decomposes naturally in the environment. This is achieved when microorganisms in the environment metabolize and break down the structure of biodegradable plastic. The end result is one which is less harmful to the environment than traditional plastics.
- Biodegradable plastics do not release carbon, because no carbon is involved in the manufacturing process.
- Biodegradable plastics do not contain polluting materials.
- One of the many positive aspects of biodegradable plastics is that they are able to be broken down by naturally occurring bacteria, which again will be beneficial to the environment.
- Aside from a slightly higher cost to produce, biodegradable plastics hold many advantages over standard plastics, with a lesser impact on the environment being one of its greatest advantages.
- Biodegradable plastic is less harmful to the environment.
- Biodegradable plastics do have some drawbacks. For example, they do not decompose unless they are disposed of properly, meaning that biodegradable plastics must be treated similarly to compost. The natural breakdown of the plastic will not occur if it is simply tossed in a landfill with other trash. This is something that concerned citizens will need to be mindful of. Some scientists also suggest that greenhouse gases are locked within the plastic and are released into the atmosphere when composted. However, everything used in the production of biodegradable plastic is natural. As such, these plastics do not contain the harmful chemicals and materials that traditional plastics do.
- Some biodegradable materials do contain small pieces of metal. There is a concern that when biodegradable plastics break down, those metals will be released into the environment. However, to date, there is no evidence of that causing any significant issues.
- The benefits would seem to outweigh any potential drawbacks.
I hope the information will help you.
With Best Wishes,
Samir G. Pandya
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